NCTJ and Sky Sports News debut video about journalism apprenticeships

The video was commissioned by the NCTJ to raise awareness of the training scheme as a route into journalism. It features contributions from apprentices, training providers and employers from the newspaper, magazine, broadcast and online sectors.

James Kilpatrick, Sky Sports News’ first journalism apprentice, was instrumental in the production of the video and is featured as one of the contributors.

A group of employers representing regional and national newspapers, magazines, broadcasters and online media, together with the NCTJ, were chosen by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in 2013 to develop an apprenticeship standard for junior journalists (level 3). This was published in August 2014 and the group are now leading the development of a higher-level apprenticeship, the first of its kind for journalists, which will offer a progression route for those who complete the level 3 apprenticeship.

Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “The journalism apprenticeships are proving to be a very popular route into the industry with both new recruits and employers. All of the apprentices I have met have shown great enthusiasm, which I think is demonstrated in this video, and we are fortunate to be working with a dedicated team of employers from across the industry in the development of our apprenticeship programme. I would like to thank BSkyB and the contributors for working with us on this project.”

Laurie Tucker, head of journalism training at Sky Sports News, who produced the video and is a member of the apprenticeship steering group, said: “An NCTJ journalism apprenticeship ensures apprentices are trained to the same exacting standards we expect from all NCTJ-qualified trainees, while helping employers to recruit school leavers directly from their communities. This video will give an insight into what it’s like to work as an apprentice while showing the benefits of recruiting apprentices to employers.”